HMS Drummond Castle almost claims famous composer’s life

Tragedies like the recent crash of the Air Malaysia flight over the Ukraine, are often accompanied by extraordinary stories of people who narrowly missed tragedy by some seemly random event. Something similar happened to one of Paarl’s most famous 19th century musician-composers – Rocco de Villiers.

In May 1896 Rocco de Villiers booked a berth on the HMS Drummond Castle to visit London and Germany from where he imported pianos for his shop in Paarl. His travelling party included MS du Toit, Rev Frans du Toit, Jan Moll, Dolf Moll, Frans Retief and Frans Roux – all from Paarl.

A week or so before their departure Jan Moll was in Cape Town on business, and decided to check in at the Castle Company’s office to finalise their travel documents. A clerk at the office mentioned that the Warwick Castle was due to sail a few days before the Drummond Castle, and suggested they consider travelling on the former.

Jan Moll returned to Paarl and discussed the possible change in travel plans with his friends, and they decided to take up the offer.

Soon after arriving in London they were shocked to hear that the Drummond Castle had sunk off the north-west coast of Brittany on the 16 June. There were only three survivors.

What is really interesting is that this was not Rocco de Villiers’ first brush with death. He was apparently a very sickly a child. JJC Esterhuysen recalled the following anecdote in “De Kerkbode” of 1922:

De Villiers went on to study music under Jan Stephanus “Jan Orrelis” de Villiers, was Caledon’s organist for 22 years before returning to Paarl in 1883. In Paarl he opened a music instrument shop, founded the town’s brass band and string orchestra.

The Heemkring has a number of his compositions and notebooks, including a copy of his famous Koraalboek.